Mixed feelings in Mumbai camp, says skipper Zaheer
Lahli (Rohtak): Mumbai Ranji captain Zaheer Khan today said the team was experiencing mixed feelings ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s final domestic match and the players were lucky to have the veteran batsman for their season opener against Haryana starting here on Saturday. “It is a special game for all of us. The atmosphere is very festive. Everyone is excited to be seeing Sachin in the Ranji Trophy for the last time. As a team we are lucky to have him here, everyone is excited that he is available for this game. In a way it is like his farewell game. It is emotional and exciting and there are mixed feelings in the camp. The emotion and the occasion will help everyone put in that extra bit to perform,” said Zaheer. “Sachin is enjoying the game as he was when he started. It is very evident. We are happy to have him around. The way preparations are going on, it’s going to help him play those last two games (Tests against West Indies) as well,” he added. Tendulkar will be quitting international cricket after playing the two-Test series against the West Indies at Kolkata (November 6-10) and Mumbai (November 14-18). (PTI)
East Bengal end Bengaluru’s unbeaten run
Kalyani (West Bengal): An own goal from Robin Singh and a stoppage time strike from James Moga saw East Bengal beat debutantes Bengaluru FC 2-0 in the round seven match of the Airtel I-League here on Saturday. The result ended Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten run in their first-ever I-League campaign but they remain on top of the table with 13 points from six matches. Meanwhile, East Bengal have successfully bounced back from successive defeats and now have six points from three games. The heavy ground conditions due to the incessant rains made it difficult for both sides but East Bengal adapted the better and could have taken the lead early on when Cavin Lobo’s cross found an unmarked Edeh Chidi inside the box. However, the Nigerian’s effort was blocked by former Middlesbrough defender John Johnson. East Bengal looked dangerous in the final third with strikers Chidi and Moga holding up the ball and setting up the runners from midfield. But the Kolkata club was wasteful with their final ball and finish as they did not test Bengaluru custodian Pawan Kumar too often. Used to playing on the artificial turf of the Bangalore Football Stadium, the visitors struggled to retain possession in the first half but had a couple of good goal scoring opportunities. Curtis Osano could only head it straight at East Bengal keeper Abhijit Mondal despite being unmarked from a Beikhokhei Beingaichho corner while the club’s top scorer Sean Rooney slipped at the vital moment and could only attempt a weak shot after being played clean through on goal by Siam Hanghal. (PTI)